With “Family Thanksgiving”, the film shows that sometimes, things just have to come out (in more ways than one) but that there needs to be some point of self-reflection and put yourself in the other person’s shoes. “Family Thanksgiving” is worth checking out!
Watch “Family Thanksgiving” on Amazon
TITLE: Family Thanksgiving
FILM YEAR: 2021
DURATION: 1 Hr., 24 Minutes
COMPANY: Maverick Entertainment Group
Directed by Jeanelle Warren
Written by Jeanelle Warren
Produced by Angela Burris, Derrick Hammond, Jeanelle Warren
Executive Producer: Cocoa Brown, Nikki Pope, Ronald Pope
Associate Producer: Terrence Arlyn
Music by Norman Harry Lankford, Jr. , L. Terrel Majette
Cinematography by Angela Burris
Edited by Derrick Hammond
Casting by Jackie Lind
Starring:
Tracy Mazyck as Elliot
Cocoa Brown as Claudia
Jokella Herbert as Ella
Anika C. McFall as La’Monica
L. Terrel Majette as Anthony
Jacob Jenkins as Jayln
Imanie Monae as Aunt Delle
Roderic Lee as Uncle Brian
Prince Oliver as James
Loretta Foster as Aunt Edna
Austin Freeman as Michael
Kimberly Newsome as Regina
William McKinney as Patrick
Valerie Burgos as Rosaline
Elliot, the eldest brother of four, has a financial situation that is going downhill thanks to his new gold-digging fiance. He sees salvation in a last-minute invitation home for the holiday from his rich great aunt that he believes is dying. Not looking forward to dealing with his dysfunctional family, Elliot tries his best to keep his cool with his nosy family butting in at every turn.
Maverick Entertainment Group is known for their African-American films and in 2021, the thanksgiving film “Family Christmas” was released.
The film is written and directed by Jeanelle Warren (“Believing the Fantasy”, “Midnight to One”) and stars Cocoa Brown, Tracy Mazyck, Jokella Herbert, Anika C. McFall, L. Terrel Majette, Jacob Jenkins, Imanie Monae and more.
“Family Christmas” revolves around a family that would celebrate Thanksgiving with each other. That was until five years ago when the family got into a little argument and the family hadn’t celebrated Thanksgiving with each other since.
For Elliot (portrayed by Tracy Mazyck), life has been tough since. He has two children and is in a relationship with a gold digger named La’Monica (portrayed by Anika C. McFall). He receives a cal from his Aunt Edna that she wants everyone to be together for Thanksgiving before she passes.
At first, Elliot turns his aunt down, but his girlfriend tells him that he should, so he can get inheritance money.
And he receives a call from his financial manager that he is now out of money and he’s broke and knowing he needs money, he decides to take La’Monica’s idea and they decided to attend his family’s Thanksgiving for the first time in five years.
But as the family gets together, there are tings among family members that need to be discussed.
For example, Ella knows about La’Monica’s scheme to try to win money from Aunt Delle if she passes. Meanwhile, family friend Michael (portrayed by Austin Freeman) has liked Ella and she likes him, but will they tell each other how they are feeling?
Meanwhile, Elliot sees his ex-girlfriend Rosaline (portrayed by Valerie Burgos) and we learn that he broke up with her because of college and she resents him for breaking up for that.
Jaylin brings his boyfriend Patrick (portrayed by William McKinney) to the family Thanksgiving, but hasn’t told his father that he’s gay.
But as the day and the night continues, there are tensions within the family members that will come to a head.
I enjoyed “Family Thanksgiving”, for one, I think this is the first Thanksgiving film featuring an African-American family and I love the fact that Maverick Entertainment is making strides of creating entertainment showcasing African American up-and-coming talent and staff.
I think the reason why I enjoyed “Family Thanksgiving” is because it showcases a family that has its issues and unlike the Thanksgiving TV shows we all grew up, nothing is always perfect.
Even with my family, while we don’t have fights or arguments, like the film, we do have family members who can get in our nerves and family who have different mindsets and lifestyles, that there are things that are just not said and said behind the others back.
The film shows us that despite the tension or worries, one needs to know their place and know that family has their back because sometimes some family or certain family members lose their way or have moved on with their lives. Some to the point that the family get-togethers are no longer possible or don’t even happen.
With “Family Thanksgiving”, the film shows that sometimes, things just have to come out (in more ways than one) but that there needs to be some point of self-reflection and put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
I enjoyed this film because it’s not perfect, nor is the family featured perfect, but for me, the days of those happy Thanksgiving years of my childhood and memories of my grandparents cooking family feasts and family coming together, I do miss that. But similar to the character Elliott, I chose a life of business, making money and missed out on a lot of family get-togethers. So, this film, even if it’s a comedy/drama, it does hit hard on some levels.
But for the most part, “Family Thanksgiving” is worth checking out!
Watch “Family Thanksgiving” on Amazon